Summary

Before a year has passed, Owad leaves Port of Spain and Mr. Biswas loses his job when the Community Welfare Department is abolished. He returns to The Sentinel, but now his salary does not even cover the interest of the loan for the house. He thinks about selling the Prefect, but Shama intervenes by being rude to a prospective buyer. She says she is not worried about the money. Working back at the paper is an effort; without ambition, his enthusiasm has diminished. As he ponders solutions to his debt predicament, he considers that his children can take responsibility, but Savi and Anand both receive scholarships and go abroad.

Anand’s letters begin showing signs of hysteria; his father understands and writes letters intended to calm and support him. Mr. Biswas falls into a pattern of waiting for the five years to be up and for...